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Lawsuit says AZ town's law unfair to church signs

An Arizona church will be able to place portable signs advertising its services near its building both before and after services, without a time limit, while a federal lawsuit that the practice prompted is litigating in Arizona U.S. District Court.



The judge granted a preliminary injunction that was agreed to by the town of Gilbert, whose signage ordinance was challenged by Good News Presbyterian Church. The church had previously been cited by the town for a violation of time limits allowed on the placement of religious signs.

The code requires a placement time limit of two hours before and one after religious services, in addition to requiring religious assembly signs to be smaller, fewer in number, displayed for less time than non-religious signs, and obtaining a permit before posting.

First Amendment law firm Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), which is acting as church counsel, says as part of the preliminary injunction, Good News will now be allowed to post its signs without the time requirements being enforced -- and the town of Gilbert has agreed to amend its sign code so it does not unfairly target churches with restrictions.

An ADF spokesman contends government officials are not permitted by the Constitution to single out churches for censorship.

They want to place time limits on church signs, and require them to be smaller in size than other signs.  However, it's alright to have HUGE billboards displaying provocative images of women and men to be seen 24/7.   >:(

I saw this one coming. Soon every church in the nation that has a permanent sign out front will have to fight to keep it there. Those signs in particular that have Bible quotes on them... The devil is now hard at work as ever..